Tool-retainer for air, electric, or mechanically-driven implements.



v M. G. HIL'PERT. TOOL RETAINER FOR AIR, ELECTRIC, 0R MECHANICALLY DRIVEN IMPLEMENTS.

I v APPLIOATIOF FILED NOV. 30, 1904. 9 53a Patented May 31,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1'.

INVEMTGH llammuunnnnnulln M; G. HILPERT. TOOL RETAINER. FOR AIR, ELEGTBIG, 0R MEOEANIGALLY DRIVEN IMPLBMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1904.

Fauented may 31, 1910.

s sswu 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES...

i NI ED STATES" PATENT OFFI.

MEIER'G. IHILPERT; or rrrrssuno, PENNSYLVANIA.

.TooL-RE'rAIN n ron AIR, ELECTRIC, on MEoHANIcALLyeDRIvEN.IMPLEMENTS.

7' Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 31, 1910.

Application filed November 30, 1904 Serial No. 234,923.

To all whom it may'concernf, I Be it known that I, MEIER G. HILPERT, a

resident'ofPittsburg, in the county'of Alle-.

gheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented .a new and. useful Improvement 1n 'Tool-Retainer's for Air, Electric, or Mechanically- Driven Implements; and I do ing or holding hereby declare the following to be a full,

clea'r,andexact description thereof.

plements, such as-pneumatic riveting andchipping hammers, electrical hammers, and 'other implements having the tool loose and My invention relates to fluid pressure imfree to leave the barrel. The invention'.relates to means for returnfrom the barrel; Y

In the use of pneumatic riveting hammers and similar tools a difiiculty is ex.-

perienced by reason of the'fact that ifv the air or other motive power; is. accidentally I or purposely applied when thetool is notin contact] with the work" or other resistance,'-the' tool, and frequently the piston or plunger, will be forcibly ejected. When working on bridgesor tallbuildings these parts are liableto be lost, 'andIe'ven' if again found the time expended in hunting for thesame is a considerable loss, Furthermore, there is always the danger that the tool or plunger will strike the operator, or

one o-f his co-workers, or on bridges or tall buildings will fall and strike a person below. Many serious injuries have/resulted from this cause. Many different deviceshave been used with a .view of preventing the ejection of the .tool and plunger when the air or other power is accidentally applied when the'tool' is out of contact with the work orother resistance. But none of these haveproved satisfactory. In fact in the actual use of such tools at the present time there is no practical device which will pre- Y vent the ejectnient-of-the tool when out of 'they.'complicate thehammer. and over-tax the tool against ejectment described and claimed.

the hand of the operator, or provide extra valves, thus increasing the factor ofclog ging from dirt or otherwise. My invention is designed to overcome the foregoing difiiculties. v I

To this end it consists, generally stated,

in providing an expansible spring holder or retainer for the tool, which is cheap to manufactur'e and easy of ap lication to the'hammer, and which will e ectuallyprevent the tool (and of course the plunger) fronibemg ejected even under full motive power oper-' ating the same when the tool is outof contact with the work, thereby preventing all losses of-the tools andv plunger's, or injury to-the operator, workmen, or others in the vicinity,,' and which will do away entirely with thecomplicated valve mechanism or locking devices which are sometimes resort-- ed to to prevent the accldental admission of power 'to the im plement. Y

The invention consistsin a spring 'retainer and its manner of attachment to'the barrel and tool as hereinafter more any] In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side view'ofa standard type of pneumatic riveting hammer showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section throughv the end portion thereof;

taken just above the retaining lugs Fig. 4 shows one of the springs extended and also in. its unrestrained position; Fig. 5 shows the spring retainer in side and both end '85 'Fig. dis a cross section through the barrel views; F ig.'6 is a perspective [view of the outer endof the spring, showing a modification: 7 and 8 are side viewsof the end of the device showing modifications of the mannerof attaching the springs tonthe barrel Fi at) is a similar View showin still another modification; Fig. 10 is a side view of the barrel of the modificatiou;.Fig. 11. is an end view of the spring; Fig. 12 is a side viewshowing still another modification of the manner of attaching-the retainer to the barrel; and F ig. 13 is a perspective View of'thehttaching means of this 1nodification .l

In the drawings my invention is shown applied to a, pneumatic riveting hammer of a standard type, but it will be understood that it is applicable to all forms of fluid pressure implements, electrical implements, or even mechanically driven implements which have a barrel containing an actuating projecting through the outer end of theban rel with its inner end in position to be actuated by the piston. All of these parts are or may be of the usual or any desired construction.

. My invention does not necessitate any alteration whatsoever in the internal :mechanism of the im lement but is applied, preferably external y, for the purpose of pre Venting the ejectment of the toolwhen motive ,fluid is applied while the tool is not in v contact with the work, or other resistance.

My retainer is an extensible spring retainer 6 which will be of coiled or helical form, and preferably slightly conical, as

shown in the drawings, this retainer having one end attached to the barrel and'the opposite end provided with means for engaging the tool. Preferably the retainer will con-. 'sist of a plurality of helical springs nested together, and preferably in the same cylin- I drical orconical plane, four such springs 7 being shown in the drawings, but obviously one or any greater number maybe employed.

' These. springs will be formed from any suit:

able spring material,-those shown in the drawing being formed of wire essentially ,square in cross section, but this obviously is a matterof choice, as they may be formed from round wire, or roundwlre flattened on two or moresides,'or wire rectangular in cross section, or either rectangular or square 1n cross sectionv and having rounded corners,

or .any desirable cross section. The several springs forming the retainer will preferably be so made that when separate they will practically have one coil tight against the other, as shown in Fig. 4:. As a consequence when they are twisted together so as to form the nest the individual springs will be put under an initial tension, that is, they wlll be extended slightly from the position they would take if unrestrained. The springer springs making up thls retainer Wlll be at- ,tached to the barrel and made to engage the tool in any suitable way. Several modifications for accomplishing these results are shown in the drawings.

'The tool 4 is provided with a shoulder or shoulders, preferably' a. annular enlarge- "ment or shoulder 9,-and the outer end or Y springs suitable ends of the spring or springs will be provided with suitable means projecting inwardly and extending below the shoulder or shoulders of-the tool. This may be done by attaching to the'lower end of the spring or projecting means, but preferably the end 0 'tool the sprlng is providedwwith the springer springs will be turned inwardly either by giving the.

same a single bend, as shown in Fig. 5, or a double bend as shown in Fig. 6, or by merely giving the lower end of the spring-an inward trend as shown in Fig. 11. In all cases there is at the lower end of the spring 'a portion 10 which projects radially inwardly toward the axis of the coil and consequently will be in position to be engaged by. the shoulder 9 on the tool. Preferably the inwardly projecting'portion or portions 10 will be located so that in the normal operation of the implement the shoulder on the will not contact therewith. When, however, the implement is operated with-the tool outof contact with the work or other resistance, the shoulderon the tool will strike against these inwardly, projecting portions 10 and the tool will be held thereby against ejectment from the barrel. j

The upper end or ends of the spring or springs may be attached to the barrel. in

many different-ways. In Figs. 1 to 5 these springs are provided with hooked ends 12 which engage shoulders or lugs 13 secured to orintegra-l with the barrel,preferably the latter. These shoulders may be conveniently formed by turning a rib from the excess diameter of the barrel and slotting the same longitudinally of the barrel, as at 14, thus providing openings through which the hooked ends of the springs may be passed, and then by giving the same a slight turn relatively to the barrel the hooks 12 will engage the shoulders .13 to secure the springs in place. In order to prevent the accidental rotation of the springs on the barrel and the disengagement of the hooks from the shoulders 18 said hooks are given a slight inward bend as indicated in Fig..5,;and these engage depressions 15 formed inthe side ofthe barrel, such as by" merely. flattening the same.

If desired a more decided depression and a 1 formed on the spring.

In Fig. 8 is shown a modification wherein an eye 16 through which passes a screw or pin 17 for attachment ,to the barrel."-

. In Fig. 7 is shown a modificationwherein the hook at the upper end of the spring is bent in the reverse direction, as at'18, and likewise engages a shoulder or lug formed on the barrel. 1 I 1 P In Figs. 9, 10 and11the barrel is pro more decided inward bendor hook may be vided with seats or depressions 19, and the upper ends of the springs are merely given an inward trend, as at 20, and slipped into these sockets when given a partial turn. The bottoms of the recesses 19 are practically flat, and the inner facesof the end portions 20 "of the springs are practically straight, so that thereby the spring is locked.

against accidental rotation on the barrel.

If desired, the sockets may be mere holes 40 f These nested' springs'preferably Willall be mg the. lugs on the barrel. j Thi'sclipimay' be I springs to" the barrel.

formed froma plate stamped t'o shape and bentjinto circularftorin. An. other interedl te a tenin'ggmayibe'ns springs mthe barrel-"and of causing said springs. to'engage the tool will suggest thein -s,elv'e S'-to those skilled in; the art. The. different means shown in the drawings are -intended; as: illustrative largely, "and not to-be' exhaustive oft/he difi'erent vvays in'whi'ch these attachments may be made. The end of the barrel will be sli htly tapered as shown J .1n;Fig.-' 2, sothat when the springs of the retainer extendias they will under the impact 'to-thetoiil, they will not. bind on the ing them tothe .desired shape and bending barrelas would be the case-if the barreland springs .wer'ef cylindrical and the springs fitted tightly on the cylindrical surface. The-spring"'or' springs forming my re ta-iner can .be cheaply mad'e by merely coilthe ends in any-0f the manners described, after which the springs. are tempered. I

' prefer. to' use a; plurality of such springs nested together'as shown, ,but .wish-it understood that'a single spring comes Within the scope of my invention. hen several springs are used they will preferably be 1 twisted one the other so as to form the cylindrical or conical nest and place the individual springs under an initialtension the better to' resist the pull. of the' tool.

of the same shape, thus giving a smooth exterior finish, though if desired one spring may be placedinside another, and the upper and lower endsof-the springs will be practically in the same transverse plane, The

springs.whenthus nested or assembled can be conveniently-handled or shipped Without liabilityof disengagement-.- In order to put them in place thetool .will first be inserted in the ba'rreland then the retainer'will be passed over the saine and up over the end of the barrell until the hookedends pass the lugs on thela tter, and-then by giving the".

barrel andretainer a partial-rotation the re tainer 'will be locked to the barrel. The

lugs at the loiver ends. of the springs will not be in contactwith the shoulder on the ,toolovhilc in normal operation. so thatino.

strain \vln tsoevcr-is placed upon the springs nor do thc latter interfere with the proper "Working Otjthdtool. Should, hmvvvnr. the

motive po'wer'beapplied when the tool is "notin co'ntfact \vith the work or other rcsist- I imam-e the.

the barrel and having heredf rill. en age; t 8

"on the ween-ends of fthe 'springj and pull "pull 'out orvertendsaidsprings,and the In;

'terwill tit "once"return-'thetoolto its normalposition, the 'latter gradually stopping the.

held against ej ectment and Without imposing any severe strain upon either-the springs I or barrel oftheimplement. V- rious other'manners of connecting the"- -My device ean be cheaply mahufactured, andis very easy of attachment to fluid pressure, electrical and other implements, and =vvithout the'neces'sity ofat all interfering.

with the usual inechanisrn'or -inode' of op- 'eration-of snch implements; The tools are -'abs'olutely prevented" from eject'ment, thus avoiding the expense due tofthe loss of the tools and plungers,fior' the time expended in hunting. for the same, and also preventing injury as the operator,- workmen, or others .in the vicinity. Manyimodifications'can "be made in the number and -shape of the springs, the nestlng thereof, their location, and the manner of engagingthe tool and attachment to the barrel. j p

. What'I'claim is:- 1. Inan implement of the character speci-' fied,1 the combination with a barrel con- ,taining a plunger and having an unob-' structed opening through which the tool may be withdrawn,- ot a tool projecting through said opening, and a coiled spring encircling the barrel and held at one end by the other end provided with tool engaging means.

2. In a-n impleinent oi the character specitied, the COlIlbllliltlOILWltll a barrel containtool, thus {doing-away with'theshockwhi'ch Would occur if a. rigid retainer were em-f ployed, Inthis way thetool is absolutely ing a plunger and having an unobstructed opening through which the tool may be.

withdrawn, ot" a tool projecting through said opening; and'ahehcal tension spring surrounding the 'axisot the barrel and having the inner-end held'by the barrel and the outer end provided with tool engaging means and being extensible along the axis" of thebai'rel when the toolis driven out- \vard by the plunger. I

tied, the combination with a barrel contain- 3. In an implementotthe character spcci- .in}; a plunger and having an unobstructed opening through which. the tool. may be withdrawn, of atool projecting through said opcning, and apluralityof helicalsprings surrminding the axis of the barrel and having one cud held by the barrel and the Othercnd provided -\\'-ith toolengaging means.

4. 111 an implcnu-nt of tliccliarzuztcr spcci i ficihthe combination with a barrel containing a plunger and having an unobstructed openingthrough vrhi ch the tool 'n-iay wit-lulrziu n, of a.toolprojecting through &

said "opening, and a plurality of helical springs of the same diameter nested together with their coils in a commonv curved surface and provided on one-end with means for engaging the barrel and on the opposite end with tool engaging means;

5. In an implement of the character speciiied, the combination with a barrel containmg a plunger and having anjunobstructed Opening through which the tool may be withdrawn and provided with a conical end,',

of a tool projecting through said opening, and a plurality of conical coiled springs surrounding said barrel and held at their inner ends by the barrel and having their outer endsprovided with tool engaging means.

-6.'In an implement of the character speci- .fied, the combination with a barrel having a plunger and an unobstructed 7 opening 2 through which the tool may be withdrawn,

er a tool projecting through said o'pening,

and a. plurality of helical springsnested toether and having their ends in substantially t 1e same transverse plane and held at their inner ends by the barrel and having their outer xends provided .with tool engaging 'Z. In an implement of the character specified, the combination with a barrel containing-a plunger and having an unobstructed opening. through which the tool may be withdrawn, of a tool projecting through said opening, and a plurality of coiled springs surrounding the axis of said barrel and having theirmner ends engaging shoulprovided with tool engaging means.

9. In an implement of the character-specitied, the combination with a barrel con-taining a plunger and having an unobstructed opening through which the tool may be withdrawn, of a tool projecting through said opening, and a plurality of 0011861 or helical springs nested together and provided at one end with hooks engaging shoulders or lugs on the barrel and having their opposite ends provided with tool engaging means. i j l In an implement of the character specifled, the combination with a barrel and its plunger, of a tool projecting from the barre], and a coiled spring surroundingt-he axis barrel and tool and having one end and hav-.. ang its opposite end engaging a shoulder or "lug on the barrel of the provided with'tool engaging means and bearing against said shoulders on the barrel and and a coiled or helical spring fied, the combination-witha barreland its barrel "witha friction grip, thereby to prevent rotation on the barrel. i

11,. In an implement of the character specifled, the combination of a barrel and. its

plunger, of a tool projecting from the barrel, and a coiled or helical spring surroundmg the axis of said barrel and tool and having one end provided with tool engaging means and having its opposite end, bent to engage a shoulder or lug on the barrel and bent inwardly and engaging a depression formed in said barrel.

' 12. In an implement of the character specified, the combination with a barrel and its plunger, .of a 'tool projecting from the barrel,'and two or more coiled or helical springs nested together and haying one of their ends provided wlth'tool engaging means and having-their opposite ends on aging lugs or aring against said barrel with a friction grip, whereby t prevent rotation on the barrel; 13. In an implement of the character specified, thecombmati'on with a barrel and "its plunger, of a tool projecting from the barrel, a plurality of helical springs nested together and having one of their ends provided with tool engaging meansand having their opposite ends provided with hooks, shoulders on the barrel with grooves 'there-, between, springs may be passed throu whereby the hooked ends of -the' h said grooves and made to engage the shou ders by a part turn.

1a. In an implement of the character specified, the combination with a barrel and its plunger, of a tool projecting from the barrel, a plurality of diameter nested together with their coils lying in a common curved surface and provided engaging means the shoulders on the barreL'. I

15. In an imple'mentf'bf the character specified, the combination with abarrel and its plunger, the end of the barrel being tapered, of atoolprojecting from the barrel, and a coiled or helical spring surrounding the tapered'end of said barrel and tool and held atone end 'by' the barrel and having its opposite end. provided with means for engagi'ngthe tool. I j

16. In an implement of the character spec1-;

- fied, the combination with a barrel and its plunger, of a tool projecting .fron the barrel and so arranged as to be free to leavethe barrel, a-shoulder formed on said tool,

and a coiled or helical spring having one end held by the barrel. and itsopposite end provided with-means projecting within the-path of the shoulderon' the tool." 17., In -an implementof the character speci shoulders on said barrel, .a plurality of helical springs of .the same 'on one of their outer ends with tool. 7 and-having their inner ends provided with bent portions for engag ng plunger, of a tool projecting from the barrel and provided with a shoulder, of a plurality of extensible springs having one of their ends held 'by the barrel and their opposite ends provided with means projecting into the path of the shoulder on the tool.

18. In an implement of the character specified, the combination with a barrel and .its plunger, of a tool projecting from the barrel and provided with a shoulder, and aplurality of coiled or helical springs surrounding the axis of said barrel and tool and having one of their ends held by the barrel and having their opposite ends provided with means projecting into the path of the shoulder on the tool.

19. In an implement of the character specified, the combinationwith a barrel and its plunger, of a tool projecting from the barrel and provided with a shoulder, of a plurality of coiled or helical springs-of substantially the same diameter nested together and surrounding the axis of said barrel and tool and having one of their ends held by the barrel and their opposite ends bent and projecting into the path of the shoulder of the tool.

20. In an implement of the character specified, the combination with a barrel and its plunger, of a tool projecting from'the barrel and provided with a shoulder, of a plurality of coiled or helical springs nested together, said springs at one end being in with a shoulder, and a plurality of coiled orhelical springs surrounding the axis of the barrel and having their inner ends provided with means for engaging the shoulder of --the barrel and their outer ends provided with means projecting into the path of the shoulder on the tool.

22. In an implement of the character specified, the combination With a barrel containing a plunger and havin an unobstructed opening through which the tool may be withdrawn, of a tool projecting through said opening and provided with a shoulder and a plurality of coiled or helical springs of substantially the same diameter nested together in the same curved surface and beginning and ending in the same transverse planes and having one of their ends provided with means engaging the 'barrel and their opposite ends provided with means projecting into the path of the shoulder on the tool.

23. In an implement of the character specified, the combination with a barrel and its plunger, of a tool projecting from the barrel and provided with an annular shoulder, a plurality of coiled or helical springs surrounding the axis of said barrel and tool and having one of their ends held by the barrel and their opposite ends provided with means projecting into the path of the shoulder on the tool but being out' of contact therewith duringnormal operation of the tool.

2%. A tool retainer c'omprisin a plurality of helical springs of substantnIly the same diameter and nested together with their coils lying within a common curved surface and provided on their one end with means for engaging a tool and on their opposite ends with means for attachment to a barrel.

25. A tool retainer comprising a plurality of coiled or helical springs nested together and having their one ends provided with inwardly projecting means for engaging a tool and having their opposite ends provided with means for attachment to a barrel.

' 26. A tool retainer comprising a plurality of coiled or helical springs nested together in the same curved surface and having their outer ends lying in the same transverse plane and provided with inwardly projecting means and being provided at their opposite ends with means for attachment to a barrel.

' In testimony whereof, I the said MEIER G. HILPERT have hereunto set my hand.

MEIER G. HILPERT. lVit-nesses MARGARET C. KU'rH,

F. V. WINTER. 

